Google has released a significant update, and individuals planning to shop online this month should take note. With the arrival of November, major retailers worldwide are rolling out their Black Friday deals. While this presents an excellent opportunity for bargain hunters, it also creates a prime target for scammers, as highlighted in Google’s latest fraud and scams advisory.
According to Google, scammers tend to escalate their fraudulent activities during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, taking advantage of heightened consumer demand and urgency. These deceptive tactics aim to lure unsuspecting shoppers with fake offers, leading to financial theft and data breaches.
Consumers browsing online or checking their Gmail accounts should be cautious of deals or notifications that seem suspicious or too good to be true. Google warns that scammers utilize various sophisticated techniques to create fake online stores, impersonate reputable brands, and run misleading ad campaigns, especially during sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
During these shopping seasons, individuals are also at risk of falling victim to phishing or smishing campaigns, where criminals attempt to deceive people into revealing sensitive information by posing as trustworthy entities. Common tactics include fake missed parcel notifications or prize claims.
To combat these threats, Google has introduced new technology to block fake emails and unauthorized websites. Despite these efforts, vigilance remains crucial. Google is enhancing its defenses against package tracking scams with additional protections for users of select devices, such as Google Pixel 9 and later models opting for Enhanced Protection in Chrome, leveraging local Gemini models and Safe Browsing features.
Moreover, Google has implemented further safeguards for Google Messages users to mitigate the risks posed by such scams. As online shopping activities surge, staying alert and cautious is essential to safeguard personal information and financial security.
